Exclusive Interview: Targum speaks to Andy Kim about protests, war
The Daily Targum's news desk recently spoke with U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) to discuss various issues, including the pro-Palestinian encampment at Rutgers—New Brunswick during the Spring 2024 semester, the University's new free expression policy and war in the Middle East.
Kim has served as a congressman for New Jersey's Third District since 2018. Kim declared his bid for Senate last year after former Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) was indicted on bribery charges. After First Lady of New Jersey Tammy Murphy dropped out of the race, Kim easily won his party's nomination.
Since then, Menendez resigned and was replaced by Sen. George Helmy (D-N.J.), a University alum and close associate of Gov. Phil Murphy (D-N.J.). Helmy plans to resign when the results of November's general election are declared, according to a press release from Phil Murphy.
Kim will face off against Curtis Bashaw (R-N.J.), a hotelier from Cape May. Kim is expected to win the reliable Democratic seat, according to monthly polls of likely voters.
When asked about the University's response to the pro-Palestine encampment, the banning of Students for Justice in Palestine at New Brunswick, formerly known as Students for Justice in Palestine at Rutgers—New Brunswick and the subsequent introduction of additional free expression rules, Kim brought up his experiences protesting the Iraq War while in college.
"I thought it was important for us to be able to have our voices heard, knowing full well that this was something that was happening at campuses across the country," Kim said.
He acknowledged a need for protests to occur in an appropriate manner that respects others' rights and comfort and encouraged maintaining a dialogue across the University and surrounding communities. Despite this, he expressed skepticism about the updated free expression rules.
"I do worry that (the updated rules are) going to be something that squashes (the) ability for people to have that right (to protest)," Kim said.
On Jan. 6, 2021, Kim received national attention for an image of him cleaning up trash left by rioters at the Capitol. Reflecting on the insurrection, Kim addressed former President Donald J. Trump's refusal to commit to acknowledging the results of the 2020 presidential election. Kim said he fears that the political climate has deteriorated since 2020, citing the segment of people who falsely believe Trump won the election.
"It's honestly sad to see such a great nation starting to show these indicators of decline," he said. "The fact that we're in this place where political leaders are sowing doubt in our democracy, spreading disinformation … It's very dangerous."
He also criticized Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), who led efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election before taking his current leadership position. Kim went on to cite his support for the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act, which strengthened protections for the electoral process.
While Phil Murphy has said he will vote for Democrats in November, he has so far withheld a formal endorsement of Kim and even praised his opponent. Kim said that while he regularly speaks to Phil Murphy as a member of Congress, he has not asked for an endorsement.
"I really just tried to not kind of have this be a top-down, you know, 'This is what party leaders in New Jersey are thinking and are telling people to do,'" he said. "I'm focused on communicating to the people."
Kim also spoke about the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Kim, who worked in the State Department prior to Congress, said he fears the current circumstances.
"What's always kept me up at night the most was that prospect of a regional war," he said. "This is the closest I've seen to that."
Kim added that actions by Iran and Hezbollah pose a threat to the Middle East, but diplomatic options may reduce or eventually conclude military action. He also called for a peaceful return of the hostages held by Hamas, as well as humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Kim stopped short of supporting conditions on weapons shipments to Israel but did call for the amount of military aid to be scaled back.
"Military engagement alone is not going to solve (the conflict), so just providing more weapons is not going to solve that problem," he said.
The interview closed with Kim reflecting on what it would mean to be the first Korean-American U.S. Senator.
"It means a lot to me," he said. "When I ran for Congress in 2018, I had leaders in New Jersey tell me that there's no way an Asian American can win a congressional district that Trump won."
Kim then pointed out that should he win, he and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) would be the only all-minority Senate delegation. He followed that up by saying he hopes there will soon be no need to see diversity as historic.
"I look for the day when I am no longer trying to do something that's unique," he said. "I want to have the kind of America where I could just be an American leader."
